Unfortunately I have the .boot file only, from a now defunct machine.I just would like to know the version of the system files. And I don't have the corresponding file system, so I can't look into the original sysinit.

Thank you anyway, now I learnt it's impossible to decompile the .boot file.

Tice wrote:Unfortunately I have the .boot file only, from a now defunct machine.I just would like to know the version of the system files. And I don't have the corresponding file system, so I can't look into the original sysinit.

Thank you anyway, now I learnt it's impossible to decompile the .boot file.

I would try running "hd" on the beginning of the file. I believe there is a header that tells you what programs are there and how they are run. As explained, there is no start script, but instead the file system must be loaded and the /etc/sysinit file is run.